You’ve probably caught wind of all the buzz around Meta’s latest addition to the social media world—Threads. Released on July 6th, Threads became the fastest app to hit 1 million users, doing so within only a few hours, and quickly garnered over 73 million in the few days since.
The layout of Threads bears a striking resemblance to Twitter, with a few unique distinctions setting it apart. Threads is an extension of the Instagram app, requiring an Instagram account for sign-up which allows for connection through the Fediverse, a network of interconnected servers operated by various third parties and fostering communication among them (yeah, that’s a thing…). Clearly, in Meta’s case, there’s a wide range of apps already integrated into their ecosystem, such as Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and now Threads.
So, what stands out about Threads so far? Let’s talk about it.
NO DIRECT MESSAGES, NO HASHTAGS, FOLLOWER FEED
First off, Threads totally flips the script when it comes to direct messages, ditching the old-school way of private communication on social media. Meaning, there’s no more sliding into those DMs. Also, you won’t find hashtags here, another departure from the social media norm. This feature was commonly used on platforms like Instagram and Twitter for content discovery and to increase visibility.
Instead, Threads is designed around a follower-friendly feed. This means your feed predominantly comprises posts from the accounts you follow. This setup emphasizes the creation of a community-driven environment, allowing you to engage more actively with your followers and the content they share.
VERIFIED BADGE TRANSFER
For Instagram accounts with verification, the badge will seamlessly transfer to Threads. That means your followers can easily spot and trust your legit Threads account, giving your brand identity a major boost. So, no worries about starting from scratch or losing that badge. It’s all about a smooth transition and keeping your brand or personal identity strong.
SOFT TRANSFER OF INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS
Threads also facilitate a soft transfer of your Instagram followers. It’s kind of like importing contacts—you can add all, or as many, of the accounts you follow on Instagram to Threads. This means that your Instagram followers can easily find and follow your Threads account, providing an opportunity for you to expand your audience engagement across another platform.
POSITIVE USER FEEDBACK
The word on the street is that Threads is getting some major love from early users. They’re calling it a breath of fresh air in the world of social media, raving about its unique features and super user-friendly design.
As Threads continues to gain momentum, businesses that are quick to adapt and make the most of this new platform will be well-positioned to capture the attention of its rapidly expanding user base.
THE BIG QUESTION: SHOULD YOUR BUSINESS BE ON THREADS?
If your business has a substantial Instagram following, incorporating Threads into your digital marketing strategy is a no-brainer. It’s a follower feed and provides an additional platform for your business to engage with its active audience, offering more touchpoints and opportunities for customer engagement.
However, for start-ups or businesses with a smaller Instagram following, building a new audience on Threads might present a challenge, as the platform’s design does not inherently promote the discovery of new accounts. Nonetheless, being an early adopter of a rapidly growing platform like Threads could potentially bring untapped advantages.
Final Thoughts
Threads is new and exciting, and with the power of Meta behind them, it feels more legitimate than some of the other social media start-ups that have come and gone in recent years. While the impact of Threads on the social media landscape is still taking shape, its rapid growth and positive reception signal a promising future.
Here at GTU, we’re all about keeping you one step ahead and helping you unlock your full digital marketing potential. Whether you’re considering adopting Threads for your business or need advice navigating this new platform, our team is here to help!